Fifers close in on funding target

EAST FIFE have broken through the £ 20,000 barrier as they continue crowdfunding to improve their Bayview home.

The Methil outfit are the first professional football club in Scotland to use the technique as a means of raising revenue, with fans who invest receiving one ordinary share in the club and a range of benefits including season tickets, hospitality packages, access to players and club merchandise.

And, after setting an initial target of £25,000, the Fifers are well on the way to meeting their goal as they seek to develop a new shop, a café bar and a 750-seater stand.

Chairman Lee Murray has been a huge supporter of crowdfunding, stressing it would allow the club to develop commercially without taking on debt.

He added: “Although the club is operating within its f inancial means, there is little scope within the budget for capital spend on stadium enhancements and the directors do not believe that incurring significant levels of debt to fund capital projects is the correct approach for the club to take.”

The new club shop, replacing the existing cabin outside the ground, will cost £25,000.

As of yesterday, 70 individual pledges had been made, with former Prime Minister Gordon Brown said to be among the more high-profile backers.

Meanwhile, Murray has confirmed that tickets for Saturday’s Fife derby with DunfermlineAthletic will continue be on sale right up until kick-off this weekend.

The club is hopeful of one of its biggest crowds of the season as they try to get themselves into the promotion play-offs, while the Pars are looking to cement second spot. Twitter: @C_CSmith1